JEM KARACAN’S spectacular volley brought Preston crashing back down to earth after their astounding 10-goal thriller at Leeds.

Both sides have been showing good form of late and they kept it up to make it seven points out of nine for the pair of them.

Preston took the lead through Keith Treacy but, having been pegged back, played out the final 13 minutes with 10 men after Darel Russell was sent off.

“It was a good opportunity for us to get three wins out of three, but I am pleased with a point,” said Preston boss Darren Ferguson.

“The lads dug in and showed a lot of character, which is what you need.”

Loan star Iain Hume had been catching the eye with his phenomenal work-rate and it was no surprise when he robbed Ian Harte on the byline and crossed low for Treacy to hammer the ball home after 23 minutes.

Preston were unable to build on it, but it was still against the run of play when Reading midfielder Karacan latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and smashed in a 55th-minute leveller.

Russell was dismissed when rookie referee Jock Waugh, taking charge of his first Championship match, showed the midfielder a second yellow card for a foul having already booked him for an innocuous-looking challenge early in the game.

Reading manager Brian McDermott said: “It was a little bit frustrating, but we have taken seven points from nine and it’s been a good little run.”